Soft drink giants, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo on Tuesday announced that they are suspending business in Russia, as corporations and Western governments rally round to penalise Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
Africa Today News, New York that Russia’s attack on its neighbor has drawn unprecedented sanctions and international condemnation that has piled up as the military offensive has taken a growing toll on Ukraine.
‘Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine,’ Coca-Cola said in a statement announcing that it was ‘suspending its business in Russia.’
Before now, companies from Apple to Visa have already announced curtailed or suspended operations in Russia since the attack began last month.
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‘Given the horrific events occurring in Ukraine we are announcing the suspension of the sale of Pepsi-Cola, and our global beverage brands in Russia, including 7Up and Mirinda,’ PepsiCo said in a statement.
In a related development, energy giant Shell has also revealed that it will withdraw from Russian gas and oil and immediately discontinue purchases of its crude, citing the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The company also apologised for buying a cargo of Russian oil last week, adding that it shouldn’t have happened and would never happen again.
‘Shell today announced its intent to withdraw from its involvement in all Russian hydrocarbons, including crude oil, petroleum products, gas and liquefied natural gas in a phased manner, aligned with new (UK) government guidance,’ it said in a statement.
‘As an immediate first step, the company will stop all spot purchases of Russian crude oil.’
The group also revealed that it has shut its service stations, aviation fuels and lubricants operations in Russia.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that a wide-range of international companies have already put a stop to doing business in Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine late last month.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK